Clematis plant named ‘TRA415’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Clematis  hybrid named ‘is disclosed, characterized by unique pink to purple flowers with a darker pink center streak. Flowers occur from the base of the plant to the top. Flowering season is continuous from May/June until September. The new cultivar is a  Clematis  typically suited for ornamental container and landscape use.

Latin name of the genus and species: Clematis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘TRA415’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the result of a breeding program, with the objective to develop new varieties of Clematis with strong growth and interesting flowers for commercial purposes. The new variety was discovered as a single plant among a group of seedlings of unknown parentage observed by the inventor, Bernard Travers. The discovery was made during 2005. Discovery was made at a commercial nursery in Orleans, France.

After selecting and isolating the new cultivar, asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘TRA415’ was first performed at a commercial nursery in St. Jean Le Blanc by vegetative cuttings during 2005. The inventor maintained the original plant, and observed the clones for several years, to establish stability of the characteristics. Public access to plant material first occurred during early Spring of 2014. Before this time, plant material was under the control of the inventor, or those directly authorized by the inventor and no enabling access to plant material occurred. This variety has been applied for Plant Breeder's Right's Protection in the EU, with CPVO application number 2013/1738. A copy of the technical questionnaire is included with the mailing of this application. A grant has not yet issued, and technical exam process has not been completed. Neither the application, nor any other publication resulted in an enabling disclosure of ‘TRA415’. ‘TRA415’ has since produced multiple generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘TRA415’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘TRA415.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘TRA415’ as a new and distinct Clematis cultivar:

-   -   1. Flowers occurring from base to top of plant     -   2. Many axillary flowers buds     -   3. Attractive pink to purple flowers with a darker pink center         streak     -   5. Long flowering season, with new flowers forming from late         Spring through Summer     -   6. Flower diameter from 10 to 15 cm

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Parent varieties are unknown, the breeder is unable to supply records of the crossings.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘TRA415’ can be compared to the known commercial variety Clematis hybrid ‘Pink Fantasy’ unpatented. The Clematis varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics, including flowering continuously from late Spring until Fall. However ‘TRA415’ differs from ‘Pink Fantasy’ in the following:

-   -   1. Flowers of ‘TRA415’ are a darker pink.     -   2. Plants of ‘TRA415’ have a denser growth habit.     -   3. Plants of ‘TRA415’ are shorter at maturity, approximately 150         to 200 cm, compared to 250 to 300 cm.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘TRA415’ can be compared to the known commercial variety Clematis ‘Piluu’, unpatented. The Clematis varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics. ‘TRA415’ differs from the comparator in the following:

-   -   1. Flowers of ‘TRA415’ are a different shade of pink, more         purple toned, whereas ‘Piluu’ is more salmon toned.     -   2. Stamens of ‘TRA415’ are cream with dark red-purple anthers,         whereas stamens of ‘Piluu’ are yellow.     -   3. Plants of ‘TRA415’ are shorter at maturity, approximately 150         to 200 cm, compared to 250 cm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical flowers and foliage of ‘TRA415’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plant of approximately 8 months in a approximate 3 liter nursery container.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘TRA415’ plants grown outdoors in Saint Cyr en Val, France. The growing temperature ranged from approximately −2° C. to 25° C. at night to 8° C. to 33° C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types.

-   Botanical classification: Clematis hybrid ‘TRA415’. -   Age of the plant described: Approximately 8 months.

PROPAGATION

-   Typical method: Vegetative cuttings. -   Time to initiate rooting: Approximately 20 days at 21° C. or higher. -   Time to produce a rooted plantlet: Approximately 40 days at 20° C.     or higher. -   Root description: Fine, fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Climbing vine. -   Height: Approximately 150 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 80 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate. During active growing season in Spring,     approximately 70 cm per month. -   Branching characteristics: One main stem. -   Length of main stem: Approximately 150 cm. -   Diameter of main stem: Approximately 0.2 to 0.5 cm. -   Main stem color: Near RHS Green 143A with blush near Greyed-Red     182A. -   Main stem texture: Glabrous. -   Internode length: Approximate range 4 cm to 10 cm. -   Strength: Strong, flexible, semi-woody.

FOLIAGE

-   Arrangement: Opposite, mostly compound trifoliate occasionally     single.     -   -   Overall leaf length.—Approximately 14 cm long.         -   Overall leaf diameter.—Approximately 7.8 cm.         -   Leaflets.—Average Length: approximately 5.3 cm. Average             Width: approximately 3.1 cm. Shape of blade: Narrow deltate             to lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cordate to obtuse.         -   Attachment.—Stalked, twining leaf petiole.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of upper surface.—Smooth with distinctly hirsute             veins.         -   Texture of lower surface.—Rugose, slightly pubescent toward             margin.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.             Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C. Mature             foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 143C. Mature foliage             under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 144A. Venation color under side: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 144A. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—Range from 1.2 to 1.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 to 0.3 cm.         -   Texture.—Hirsute.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.

FLOWER

-   Bloom period:     -   -   Natural season.—Continuous flowering begins May or June and             continues through September. -   Inflorescence type and habit: Axillary occurring; 1 to 3 flowers,     facing outward. -   Rate of flower opening: Approximately 7 days from bud to fully     opened flower. -   Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 8 to 12 days, after fully     opened. Self-cleaning. -   Flower fragrance: None. -   Inflorescence size:     -   -   Diameter.—Average 10.0 to 15.0 cm.         -   Depth.—Average 6.5 cm. -   Corolla:     -   -   Tepal arrangement.—Single whorl, slightly overlapping.         -   Quantity.—6 per flower.         -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Margin.—Very slightly crenate, very slightly undulating to             mildly ruffled.         -   Aspect.—Slightly reflexed back.         -   Apex.—Acute to abbreviated apiculate.         -   Base.—Truncate.         -   Texture.—Smooth, velvety upper and lower surfaces.         -   Length.—Average Range 5.0 to 7.0 cm.         -   Width.—Average 3.9 cm. -   Color:     -   -   Tepals.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple             N74D, center streak near Red-Purple 60D. Lower surface: Near             RHS Red-Purple N74C. Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS             Purple 75B, center streak near Red-Purple 63A. Lower             surface: Near RHS Purple 75A.         -   Ageing.—Upper surface: Near RHS Purple 75D, center streak             near Red-Purple 63A. Lower surface: Near RHS Purple 75D. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Elongated sphere.         -   Length.—Approximately 9 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 6.2 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 73A. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Length.—Average range 4.5 to 9.0 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.4 cm.         -   Angle.—Average 45° to 80°.         -   Strength.—Flexible.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—Average 110 per flower.         -   Anther length.—Approximately 0.4 cm.         -   Anther color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 59A.         -   Anther shape.—Oblong.         -   Filament length.—Approximately 1.4.         -   Filament color.—Near RHS Orange-White 159D.         -   Pollen quantity.—Not observed.         -   Pollen color.—Not observed. -   Pistil:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 2.4 cm.         -   Style length.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Fine irregular hairs. Color: Near RHS             Red-Purple 59C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds: Seed production not observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     normal diseases and pests of Clematis has been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately     −20° C. to 45° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Clematis hybrid plant named ‘TRA415’ as herein illustrated and described. 